Articles for puncturing small apertures in cigarettes and the like



May 9, 1961 J. STEIN 2,983,044

ARTICLES FOR PUNCTURING SMALL APERTURES IN CIGARETTES AND THE LIKE Filed NOV. 4, 1959 FIG. 1..

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JESSE s'nzm ATTORNEYS May 9, 1961 J. STEIN 2,983,044

ARTICLES FOR PUNC'I'URING SMALL APERTURES IN CIGARETTES AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 4, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 9.

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I I F1G.12. MENTOR 12 l JESSE STE I F 1G. 11. ATTORNEYS Patented May 9, 1961 United States Patent fiiice ARTICLES FOR, PUNCTURING SMALL APER- TURES IN CIGARE'ITES AND THE LIKE Jesse Stein, 400 Renwick Ave., Syracuse 10, N .Y. Filed Nov. 4, 1959, Ser. No. 850,877

1 Claim. (Cl. 30-123) This invention relates to smokers articles, and, more particularly, to articles of various forms for puncturing one or more very small holes in the side of the body of a cigarette, cigarillo, cigar or the like in order to render the indrawn smoke thereof cooler and milder, as well as to alleviate some of the health hazards to which smokers, particularly the very heavy or chain-type smokers,

- tered forms of cigarettes and the'like being stressedin .this era, it is conceivable that many smokers who desire .to receive the attendant benefits will switch from their normally preferred regular brand to the newly advertised cooler brands. However, it is also very probable that :many other smokers will prefer to continue to smoke their -favorite regular brands, and since many of these brands have become so widely accepted as standards of the trade, it is also conceivable that their manufacturers will choose not to alter their widely accepted form in order to try something new. Thus, it will be left to the discretion of the individual smoker as to how he might provide himself with a slightly cooler and more mild smoke of his particular favorite regular brand.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a puncturing or perforating article for cigarettes and the like for the smokers discretionary use, and which is in a form that would normally always be carried upon their person.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cigarette perforating article of the aforementioned type which may be inexpensively and simply incorporated into cigarette and cigar lighting devices of various forms which are usually conveniently at hand for discretionary use by the smoker, or which may be similarly incorporated into other articles which often are carried within the pockets of wearing apparel, purses or wallets.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide in combination with a cardboard or paper match book of the type in comon use by smokers, a cigarette or cigar perforating means in the form of a recessed thin wire such as one end of the staple which holds the base strip of the matches within the lower folded portion of the cardboard or paper cover, said wire staple end projecting substantially mid-way or more into the open part of a recess or notch which preferably is of a semi-circular form and of a size capable of receiving therein a standard cigarette or cigar.

Yet another specific object is to provide in combination with conventional fluid type pocket lighters a perforating pin projecting from a recessed portion of the lighter so that the end of the pin will not cause inadvertent puncturing or tearing of the users hands or clothing when not Still another object is to provide a perforating means of the aforementioned type which may be in the form of a small advertising or personal name card which is preferably provided with a marginally recessed puncturing pin.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the novel features thereof defined in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of an open book of matches embodying in combination therewith a perforat: ing means according to my invention Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the combined article of Fig. 1, but showing the match book in a closed condition; 7

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the article of Fig.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational viewof the article of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view as taken on line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the manner of use of the article of Figs. 1-5 inclusive;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but of a modified form of combined match book and perforating means; Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of the article of Fig. 7 as shown in the closed condition; Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of another modified form of my combined match book and puncturing or perforating means, as shown in the closed condition;

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view as taken on line 16-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of another modified form of my combined match book and puncturing means as shown in the closed condition;

Fig. 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional view as taken substantially on line 1212 of the modified form of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of yet another cigarette or cigar puncturing means in combination with a business advertising or personal card;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view as taken on line 14-14 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of a pyrophoric igniter in the form of a conventional flint-type pocket lighter embodying my perforating means; and

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view of a pyrophoric igniter of a different form of conventional flint-type pocket lighter embodying my perforating means.

Referring to the first embodiment as illustrated in Figs. 16 inclusive, there is shown a match book designated generally at 1 which comprises a heavy paperzor cardboard cover which is adapted to be folded over uponitself along top folds 2, 2 to form a back 3 and a front 4, said front 4 having a free end 5 which is adapted to be inserted behind a bottom reversely folded flap .6 of the back member, as better seen in Fig. 2 at the broken away area. Interposed between the back 3 and the flap 6 is the base strip 7 of the usual group or strip of cardboard or.

paper matches 8, with said base strip 7 being stapled between the cover 3 and flap 6 by a staple 9. This lowermost portion of the match book is considered herein as the base portion thereof.

At one lateral edge of the match book 1, and preferably at the bottom area or base portion, there is provided an arcuate recess or other suitably shaped notch 10 which is cut completely through from the front of flap 6, through base strip 7 where and if necessary if the same is not initially set in far enough to avoid interference with said v notch, and through the back cover 3, said recess 10 hay ing a radius slightly greater than that of a standard.

cigarette or small cigar so as to be able to receive. the

therein. The staple 9, formed of relatively stiff wire, is preferably positioned so that at least one end is bent outwardly from the main body thereof and projects a substantial distance into the recess 10 so as to constitute a puncturing pin or pin-like member 11. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a dotted circle 12 is shown to schematically illustrate how a cigarette or the like is positioned within the recess 10 to enable pin 11 to puncture the body of the cigarette 12, while in Fig. 6, there is shown a full line perspective representation of a cigarette 12 in the operational process of being punctured by the combined article of this invention.

The front cover 4 of the match book 1 is of length that avoids blocking or obstructing the recess 10 when said cover 4 is in the closed position of Fig. 2.

A slightly modified embodiment of my combined match book and puncturing article is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. This embodiment is substantially the same as the first described form, and the same reference numerals, therefore, are used for the same corresponding parts in these figures. The main difference in this form is the additional length of the front cover portion 4 which enables a more positive and deeper seating of the free end 5 of the cover 4 within and behind the flap 6, as an increased safety precaution to preclude the possible accidental igniting of the matches 8 during striking of a match upon the striking area 13. In order to prevent obstruction of the recess by the cover end 5 when in a closed position, the corner 14 (shown in dotted lines) of the cover 4 is cut away or angled as at 15. A portion of flap 6 has been broken away in Fig. 8 as at 16 to more clearly show how the end 5 of the front cover4 tucks behind flap 6 with the angled edge disposed so as not to interfere with the placement of a cigarette 12 within the notch 10 for the stated pur pose. sired to further secure the base strip of the matches 8.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate still a slightly different form or embodiment of my invention similar to those already described in the foregoing, except for the disposition of the recess 10. Like reference numerals are used for the corresponding parts already described hereinabove, except they are primed to differentiate them from the former embodiments. The match book 1 is generally the same as that already described except that it is provided with a notch 10' preferably, but not necessarily, disposed midway of its lateral edges and extending from the bottom of the book upwardly into the fiap 6, the base strip 7 and back cover 3. A staple 9, which is used to secure the base strip 7 of the matches 8' between the covers, is preferably vertically or otherwise disposed so that at least one end of the staple 9 is bent downwardly so as to project a substantial distance into the protective recess 10, thereby constituting said staple end a perforating pin 11. An additional staple 17 may be conventionally disposed as sh own to further secure the assembly of the match book 1.

Another modification of my invention, similar to some of those described in the foregoing, except for the disposition of the perforating pin-like member or staple, is illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12. Like reference numerals are again used for corresponding par-ts already described in the previous forms, with the exception that they are double-primed to differentiate them from the foregoing embodiments. The puncturing means, preferably in the form of a staple 9", is carried by one or more match base strips 7" and is disposed adjacent to the notch 10 so that one end of the staple is bent outwardly or away from the main body of the staple so as to project a substantial distance into said notch 10, thereby constituting said 'staple end a puncturing pin or pin-like member 11". Wherethe match book includes a plurality of-base strips 7" having attached matches, the staple 9" further serves .to initially secure the sametogether. It is to be understood that although conventional wire staples are usually formed from relatively small diameter wire and, there- An additional conventional staple 17 may be de- 4 fore, have ends which are sharp enough to easily puncture the wrapper of a cigarette or cigar and the like without the necessity of further sharpening said end, it is contemplated that the puncturing end of the staple or other pin-like member may be sharpened to a fine point similar to that of an ordinary common straight pin or needle. By disposition of the staple 9" as aforesaid, it accordingly permits a somewhat neater and more attractive overall appearance of the finished match book article because only one staple 17" is needed to secure the base strips 7" of the matches 8" between the back cover 3" and the lower front flap 6 and is exposed to view.

Coming now to Figs. 13 and 14, a cigarette or cigar perforating article in the form of a small advertising card or a personal name card is illustratively shown and generally designated 18. The said card 18 is provided with at least one marginal recess 19, preferably in the form of an arcuate notch to facilitate entry of at least a portion of the body of a cigarette or cigar. A perforating pin, designated generally at 20, is suitably secured to the card so that one end 21 thereof projects outwardly from the body of the card 18 and into the marginal recess 19 a substantial distance, but not beyond the marginal edge 22 of the card 18. The pin 20, as shown, has the form of a staple.

In all of the foregoing embodiments, the end of the perforating pin is preferably disposed so that it is always substantially centrally recessed and protected within the respective notches by lying substantially in the medial plane of the article body, thus assuring careful shielding of said pin end to preclude snagging or scratching thereof on the users apparel or body when not in use.

Still further embodiments of a combined igniter and cigarette or cigar perforating article are contemplated and shown illustratively in Figs. 15 and 16. Fig. 15 is representative of a pyrophoric igniter in the form of a conventional flint-type pocket lighter 23 operated by a thumb or finger lever 24. The perforating pin 25 is attached to lever 24 and is preferably substantially centrally disposed both vertically and laterally within the recess 26 which is formed or defined between the top of the body of lighter 23 and the bottom of the extended portion of the lever 24.

Fig. 16 is illustrative of another conventional type of pocket lighter designated 27 which is provided with a wind guard 28 seated upon an intermediate cover 29 and having a hinged outer cover 30. In this type of lighter, a perforating pin 31 is attached to the rearward side and preferably substantially medially of the wind guard 28, thus positioning it in a relatively shielded or recessed zone defined by the wind guard 28, the intermediate cover 29, and the outer cover 30 when the latter is in an open position such as illustrated in Fig. 16, so as to avoid inadvertent scratching or puncturing of the users fingers or clothing during use thereof, but permitting ready access thereto by flipping open the cover 30. When the lighter is not in use, the cover 30 serves to protectively enclose the pin 31 along with the other lighter apparatus.

Accordingly, from the foregoing detailed description, it is apparent that novel means for simply, inexpensively and effectively providing cigar or cigarette perforating articles in various forms has been accomplished, and which are capable of being made readily available to people who smoke and desire to avail themselves of the attendant advantages as outlined in the preample hereof.

While several preferred embodiments of my invention have been shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that other changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

In a smokers igniter article for use with cigarettes and the like, a match book having a generally rectangular bodyincludingunitary front and back covers, aplurality of matches terminating at one end in a base strip joining the matches together, one end of one of the covers being folded upon itself, the base strip of the matches being disposed within the fold and having anchor means for securing the same to the cover to provide a relatively stiffened end on the body aforesaid, said stiifened end having formed in one marginal edge thereof a recess of a size to at least partially receive therein the side of a cigarette, the anchor means aforesaid being in the form of a relatively rigid staple, said staple having a deflected portion of one arm thereof projecting substantially centrally from a marginal edge of the recess and extending into and terminating within said recess for producing 6 minute apertures in the side wall of a cigarette when the cigarette is repeatedly moved into engagement with the free end of the staple arm while guided by the recess.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 666,720 Wetmore Jan. 29, 1901 2,213,691 Castle Sept. 3, 1940 V 10 2,559,156 Hewes July 3,- 1951 

